Robert Earp is our featured artist this week on Necromancy Radio. Robert is an accomplished advertising photographer, photomaker and digital conceptual artist from Melbourne, Australia.

Hallelujah, The tears are welling in my eyes againHallelujah, I need twenty big buckets to catch them inHallelujah, And twenty pretty girls to carry them downHallelujah, And twenty deep holes to bury them in.

Written by Nick Cave.

One of the joys of writing about art and music, is quite often they amalgamate and inspire artists which in turn provides a dialogue within their works. The following works are just a few of Robert’s portfolio which you can see on his website robertearp.com and as our interview unfolds, you will discover not only does some of the work have Post Punk influence from the likes of Joy Division, but also the history of Chinese Opera and the evolution of China’s modernity in recent years. Robert’s eye for the dark side of beauty is ever present in his latest works entitled ‘Shanghai Shadows’ and ‘Shanghai Shadows 2’.

Although a black and white series, they are representative of the modern woman against a historic setting in some of the most beautiful backdrops from his wanderings and photography in the back streets of old Shanghai. The images are composited, which means the models are shot in a studio setting and then masterfully combined with the imagery of these settings to create an almost cinematic quality to the final images. I have been lucky to see ‘Shanghai Shadows 3’ imagery, which hasn’t been launched officially on social media, however Robert won an award for this in New York late last year. Necromancy will be updating you all with a preview of this in the next few weeks.

In ‘Shanghai Shadows 2’ Robert brings to life the streets of Shanghai from the perspective of a fashion photographer as well as his keen observation and story telling over the last few years. Robert frequently visits Asia for business as well as holiday from his busy schedule. I spoke to Robert from his stay in Bali and although the hustle and bustle of the city behind him provided the typical humid ambiance, it didn’t detract from the heart of what matters to his work and a candid chat about his life and career.

Robert has an upcoming exhibition at the Black Eye Gallery in Darlinghurst, Sydney from May 15 until June 4th, to exhibit for the International Photography Awards held during the ‘Head On’ Festival. Be sure to check that out if you are in Sydney. This exhibition will feature his latest works featuring the fabulous Venus Virgin Tomarz exhibition pieces.

Venus Virgin Tomarz is the ultimate Glambassador. Born in the South of India, she is a self-made, self-proclaimed, futuristic creative. Venus has been working with Photomaker, Robert Earp in Melbourne for almost 2 years to present to you, a body of work that is out of this world.

This exhibition, held at Glow Studios in Melbourne, was launched like a rocket late last year as I attended the event with my champagne in hand, surrounded by body painted aliens and walls 10ft high adorned with these master pieces. It was a fantastic event with a hugely creative audience, not to mention collaborators that were involved in the project. Venus and I discuss the works for this exhibition in great detail, the story which encompasses many subjects, but most poignant, her transitional journey from Venus to Mars. Her name is intentional, and a testament to this incredible story. Venus has an amazing ability in storytelling as I’ve not seen in quite this way before.

She refers to her love for science fiction in the 60s and 70s, her broad career first graduating as an accountant, and moving in to becoming a true artist, fashion designer with her own label in the 80s and 90s. Sought after by celebrities to design for weddings, parties and anything, Venus knows what she wants and she knows how to get it. The dichotomy of this exhibition Venus Virgin Tomarz, embodies all there is from being a 6ft blonde goddess to a Firey redhead warrior princess on the planet Mars.

Venus is a creator of many other 60’s style pop artworks and will be exhibiting these in a pop-up exhibition of pop art in the coming months at Glow Studios before launching into the next huge event which will be the Head On International Photography Festival. Robert Earp had submitted the works and this internationally awarded Photomaker and Venus make the ultimate dream team. The work is outstanding and details will be coming out soon. Just check the social links below and make sure you don’t miss these upcoming events.

Venus Virgin Tomarz is on a rocket, and it’s out of this world.

For more details on how you can contact Venus, please keep up to date on her Facebook and Instagram. Don’t forget to also check out the incredible videos created to document the making of this exhibition on her YouTube channel and subscribe!

Necromancy Radio recently spoke with Metal Temptress and Australian front woman for the band As Angels Bleed, Avelina De Moray. Avelina is super talented vocalist, pianist, guitarist, photographer, vampiric artist, web developer, product designer and all round artisté. Born and raised in Sydney, Avelina’s introduction to music started with playing piano at an early age, going to grunge concerts in the 90s and having taken guitar lessons from her now husband, Von Lehmann. The couple have shared 15 year partnership as writers and producers for the band As Angels Bleed, not to mention previously been offered touring contracts with international labels. They released their first full length self-title album in 2013 and you can find their music on iTunes. They are proud to be self-made, have their own recording studio and continue to create new music independently.

Avelina’s passion for vampire art and the romance of immortality is subject matter of most of her work and the execution of her art direction on photoshoots and blood making is impressive. You can also view these on her website and of course they are all for sale. She is quite the entrepreneur when it comes to her marketing of ideas and lines of jewellery, t-shirts and merchandise.

Avelina in recent times has been uploading tales of adventure on her YouTube channel as well as collaborating with other gothic creatives and models such as ReeRee Phillips and also to be released upcoming project with Drak Makens. Avelina’s other passions lie in design and fashion. She loves to create and has designed a series of clutch purses that are soley branded for the person intended. Her original clutch purse (which I have) is a black faux snake skin number with red satin lining and her own trademarked logo of a silver bat with ‘Avelina De Moray’ stamped into the badging. It’s a classic item and I can recommend this for an all round go to vampire clutch with class. The latest design developed is ReeRee Phillips Clutch with purple suede accents and black vegan leather, features diamonté bling, a bat winged clasp and purple damask detail.

I look forward to seeing more of Avelina’s designs, music, followings and endeavours for 2017. You can follow her on all the social links below as well as check out her website for the latest news, art and adventures. As Angels Bleed also have a website for music sales, touring information and contact business enquiries.

She’s a total babe with a killer voice. Check her out and share the love!

Elizabeth Barsham’s pictures depict a world where all may not be what it seems. Is it a Rainforest Theme Park where eco-tourists come to gape at the Last Tree, supported by complex technologies to keep it alive, surrounded by Faithful Recreations of a Real Forest Environment? Is it a world where nature has triumphed, growing over and obscuring the works of man? Or is it something else altogether?

If there is passing similarity between her work and that of some Surrealists, it is not that they have influenced her; rather, we share the same influences – the meticulous and eerie paintings of late mediaeval and Renaissance painters such as Rogier van der Weyden, Dürer, Bosch, Altdorfer, Elsheimer and Filippo Lippi, and later painters like Poussin, Breughel and Rubens.

Elizabeth’s pictures are multi-layered and deliberately ambiguous re-presentations of the world, executed in an illustrative style to avoid distracting the audience with layers of cultural history and artistic mystification. There is no “correct” interpretation; whatever meaning you discover will be right and valid.

The images are frequently disquieting; perhaps a bit frightening, but always intriguing and, she hopes, amusing.

Elizabeth grew up in Lindisfarne, attending Lindisfarne State School and Rose Bay High School, then studied art in Melbourne under Wesley Penberthy and Ming Mackay. Elizabeth has had paintings hung in the Blake Prize and other major exhibitions: they have won many awards and have been acquired by Monash University and by private collectors Australia wide, as well as in Canada, UK, New Zealand, Singapore, France, Germany and Japan. She exhibits regularly and work can frequently be seen in mixed exhibitions at CAST and the Long Gallery in Hobart. You can also see recent work on her website.

Elizabeth has a solo exhibition opening this Friday 13th until the 22nd January (yes it’s deliberate), at the Freehand Gallery in Hobart, 212 Elizabeth Street – right next to the best Turkish restaurant in town. The opening starts at 5.30pm. Please attend if you are a Tasmanian and meet this true Gothic.

If you are also in town for the MO FO Festival, make sure you put this exhibition on your list of must sees!

You can also find Elizabeth on Facebook and if you would like more information on Elizabeth’s work, please visit her website Tasmanian Gothic.

This week on Necromancy Radio, I interviewed American Actress and Gothic YouTuber, Angela Benedict. Born and raised in New York City, Angela has spent the best part of her youth immersed in the Gothic subculture, collecting, creating, participating and in her most recent contribution online, her self-titled YouTube channel – “Angela Benedict – Full of WTF since the 80s”.

The content of her channel is predominately commentary on ‘Goth in the 90s’. As Post Punk left the shores of the UK in the late 80’s a new wave of Gothic Rock hit the States. Clubs, events, music, romance and a scene that was thriving on the very essence of what it means to be Gothic today. Creation, collaboration, participation and a love for the mystery of romance, darkness and beating the drum to dispel myths about our unique tribe. Raised with Italian heritage with Brooklyn and Queens in her DNA, Angela has a hell of a lot of fight in her – a real pocket rocket.

Angela is the quintessential Libra being ruled by the planet Venus, seeks to find truth by responding to the most part of her almost 20,000 subscribers almost every day. Not to mention her penchant for being surrounded beauty and art. When asked “What is the driving force for creating content for her channel?” She adamantly responded with, “Memories – I want Goth back!”

Angela’s content is die-hard romantic retellings, the diarising of her beliefs in the way things were, relayed to the next generation of Goths and her audience that you can digest in passionate doses. She has a strong, opinionated presence, but at the same time, the ability to charm and disarm.

It was an absolute pleasure speaking with Angela. If you haven’t already checked her out, you can find her in the links below as a starting point. If you are living in New York, there is also discussion about a new club opening called ‘Night of 1,000 Reunions’.

You too might share her vision, maybe hit the dance floor and if you haven’t already, fall in love from across a crowded room.

Tonight’s show ‘Immortal Legends’ is to celebrate all of the incredible talent from those who have contributed to our lives and shaped music history like no other year has left us before. I have uploaded tracks from legends – Prince, David Bowie, George Michael and more.

It’s been a difficult year to comprehend but let it be a reminder that death and immortality is in they eye of the beholder. Legends and their legacies are immortal. I can’t remember the time’s I’ve listened to Bowies music, cried to George Michaels emotional album Ladies and Gentleman, had way too many beers listening to The Eagles or destroying countless sets of headphones due to pure decibel destruction. This is the beauty of art and music creation, it never dies, even if physically things break or people leave us.

I hope you enjoy this show and remember these outstanding individuals in style while you welcome 2017 with a glass of something fabulous! Normally I would have an interview prepared but it is the season to be jolly and quite frankly, this needed to be done! I hope you enjoy my rambling and selected tracks. As discussed throughout the show, you can find links to all of the music I have mentioned and selected YouTube videos below. Wishing you all a spectacular 2017!

SoundCloud is where I first discovered Bat Nouveau. It’s the place where you can discover new music made by unknown artists as well as float in a pool of successful acts that only like to do things their way. By searching for gothic rock, I was able to discover a band that’s been around for almost 10 years and have invested in a few of their vinyl. If you like the traditional chorus sounds of The Cure and primal screams of early Bauhaus, this band is for you.

I have been listening to their music since around 2010. Formed on the Gold Cost, New Zealand born lead singer Todd Manion formed the band with guitarist Alex Palmer. The two met on MySpace as an online collaboration and initially formed the band under the name of 13 bats. I spoke with Todd Manion about local bands, his earliest influences, crowd petitions that put them on the map to support acts like Peter Murphy and then to follow on, Gary Numan. Although Todd has moved to Melbourne in the last 2 years, the duo are experiencing a long distance relationship, I am assured there is new music on the horizon despite this indefinite hiatus.

It’s nice to actually talk to the one of the makers of the music you enjoy so much. It was a great conversation and I hope you enjoy this interview and get into discovering their music. You can purchase recordings on Bandcamp and follow them in the social media links below.

Todd Manion is currently working on a new project called ‘Tortures” with 2017 on the horizon.

I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Krystine Crutcher aka Xynarah. Born in Christchurch New Zealand, I first discovered Xynarah when surfing for ‘goths’ on YouTube. Her channel is uplifting, conversational and self diarising topics that she loves to talk about and engaging with her subscribers the Q&As, tags and tales to tell from her life.

She is also an artist and while embracing her motherhood as an Elder goth, Xynarah’s paintings are not only dark and full of societal statements, but also very beautiful. We discuss life in New Zealand, having to conform to career standards in corporate creative environments, as well as a bit of Druidry as she also considers herself a Pantheist.

We hope you enjoy this interview as much as I enjoyed speaking with Xynarah. You can also find her social links, merchandise and official website below. Don’t forget to visit her YouTube channel and subscribe!

After 10 years and many words unspoken, there is something to be said for living in the dark. When you choose to step into the light, you can reunite with old friends. They can be unseen for so many years and yet when you do speak with them or catch up, nothing changes and they are still the same person they were when you saw them last. Kriss Poison is one of those people I know. We met outside of the goth scene around 2004 and we were instantly drawn to each other not just because we were gothic, but we also had the same fringe. A black and white betty page bang. Aside from hair and makeup, we had more in common than we realised at the time. Not only was Kriss an independent business woman, but she doesn’t take any flack. From anyone.

Kriss immersed herself into the scene back then and had started collecting her story in ink. Her tattoos and business acumen have always been a staple. She considers herself an occultist and a blood witch. Which is a nice way of saying she uses blood in ceremonial practice. Apart from her gothic lifestyle, Kriss is also a very down to earth person. Prior to moving to the country, Kriss has a history with the media in many forms, whether it be editorials in magazines, radio interviews, fashion shoots, a muse for designers and photographers, not to mention television appearances. This very public life posed it’s highs and low’s as celebrity lifestyle can tend to do. In my opinion, she still is, but she laughs when I say that.

Kriss’s love for all things creative and nature based has become a new lifestyle, in that she lives in the country and has transformed her urban hardcore gothic attire for a much more demure sense of style. If you visit her blog, which is not only full of colour, she shares with her followers a day in the life of a Granpire. What is a Granpire you ask? Being a vamp herself, the evolution of Kriss’s style has evolved into a world of antiquity. A world where she now arranges flowers, still dabbles in keeping fringes razor sharp, but is immersed into the true essence of gothic reclusion, the natural open air and mother nature.

Kriss has transcended her previous career into a new found passion, floristry. Her online business is just starting up, which will be focussing on weddings and events, funeral flowers – but of a different kind. Silk floristry lends itself to the kind of bright and bold statements Kriss is now well known for. Her vintage flair and ability to transform objects into artworks is her new path. She is taking it one day at a time and waiting to see where it will carry her next. Being a true gothic and finding a black rose, is now well within her reach.

I had a lot of fun catching up with Kriss and I hope you enjoy our little chat. If you are interested in contacting Kriss for business enquiries, visit her contact link in the blog or you can follow her on instagram as well.

Having launched Necromancy on the 8th of October this year, 8 weeks go, 888, I find myself working to another timeline. Something I wanted to avoid now being a free agent of my own volition. However, when you’re speaking to someone like Y from the band Remain in Light, everything tends to make sense, despite the fact he made you get out of bed early. We set up the interview after a bit of fluffing about with audio, but the end result was one of the best Necromancy interviews to date.

Remain in Light is a gothic rock/post punk band. It rose from the ashes of older punk and new wave formations in 2010 the year the terrible economic crisis burst in Thessaloniki, Greece.

Y on bass, Snow on guitar (both x-the Grimes) and S. “Reverb” G. (x-Fear Condition) formed the initial incarnation of the band who produced a dozen gothic rock tracks within a few months.

Since, the band has undergone several personnel changes, had for years simultaneously 2 basses (!) and is now a quartet whose members are:

2016 Line up:

Y (guitar/lyrics/music) Elder K (vocals) Constantine Lado (bass) Ghoul (drums, synths) Y is the only remaining founding member of the current band.

Remain in Light has had airplay on gothic rock / post punk internet radio stations like Cathedral 13, Cruel Britannia’s Fadeout on Nightbreed radio, radio Dunkle Welle, more than once on Mick Mercer Radio, while many of their tracks appeared on compilations like For the Bats Vol II (released on the 3rd March 2015).

The band released a self produced 6-track mini-LP “Introduction to a Dream”, in October 2013, as a digital download and as a physical -limited edition of 300- CD in early 2014. Their second release dates from 2016 and is an LP entitled “Splinters in Arcadia”. The digital version (available on Bandcamp) contains 6 tracks while the cd format is enhanced with remixes (one by DJ Cruel Britannia) and live tracks.

A first limited edition vinyl (45 rpm) single “Walk through the Sleet and the Rain” was released in 2013. In 2015 a second (split w/ the Moon In June) vinyl 45′ was also released containing their single “Dead Alaska”.

In the summer of 2014 R.i.L was selected to open for Christian Death’s 30th anniversary gig in Thessaloniki and in November 2016 the band opened for And also the Trees.

Last weekend we visited an exhibition at Glow Studios here in Melbourne launching the works of Venus Virgin Tomarz. It was a VIP event we were so excited to see this incredible show hosted by Robert Earp, Photomaker and of course meet the star of the show Venus herself. As I was surrounded by body painted aliens and enjoying a glass of champagne I got talking to the make-up artist who was responsible for the project’s make-up artistry and body painted bodies in the room.

Her name is Alejandrina De La Rosa, and being I was the only goth at the party, she got talking to me about her artwork, the fact that she is from Mexico City, her paintings which were all very darkly inclined, not to mention beautifully executed. We teed up an interview for Necromancy Radio so you have an hour to spare, put your headphones on and you can hear Alejandrina’s stories that are not only heartfelt, but full of courage and creativity.

She talks about growing up in Mexico City as a child, being raised by her Grandmother and delving into the unknown by having an outer body experience with Ayahuasca (or Iowaska). Ally is based in Phillip Island, but commutes to Melbourne for all of her work in Film, Television, Events and Weddings. If you would also like to find out more about her paintings and artwork, just see the social links below and get in touch.

I was so honoured to have had the opportunity to speak with her, as she truly is a very dark and talented woman. Stay tuned for Part 2 of the Venus Virgin Tomarz upcoming video as well, in which there is rumour to being started next year.

This interview has been a long time coming. I’ve known Lee, aka DJ Cruel Britannia since I believe the end of 2006. For almost 10 years he has supported my music, on his podcast Fadeout, is the co-founder of World Goth Day and resident DJ at a number of events and festivals in the UK including the Whitby Goth Weekend. Lee’s contribution to the community is unsurpassed with his dedication to creating shows every week on his radio show for almost 10 years now, interviewing various icons in the musical realm with the likes of Peter Murphy, Valor Kand, Patrik Mata, Strap on Halo and many more.

We talk about growing up in the West Midlands, the 90s, online media and ‘the kids of today’. Lee’s shows are always entertaining with his wry sense of humour, goth dancefloor classics, news and events not to mention his passion for finding new music and artists from around the globe. There’s not much else to say other than sit back, relax and we hope you enjoy this interview, as for once, the chelsea boot, is on the other foot. You can find out more about Lee in the social links below and tune into FADEOUT every Sunday EST or if you’re a collector, you can download the show for free. It was an absolute treat, so until next week… Take it easy.

Welcome to episode 38 of Cemetery Confessions! This month we are covering an interesting article claiming to have defined goth, and finally we are continuing our long overdue goths around the world series with interviews from goths in Germany and Scotland!

If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us on Patreon. You can subscribe to the show via our podcast app or iTunes. You can E-mail us at CemeteryConfessions@gmail.com